Yes - you've heard it all before. Every year since '66 we've been saying it. Yet every single time, we're let down. The hand of God? The tears of Paul Gascoigne and Beckham's red card in France? Like you need reminding. On a more positive note though, since the appointment of Mr Capello, things have been looking up. Fabio's target is for us to reach the semi finals at least but you know what? we could win it.
WE'VE GOT WAYNE ROONEY.
No other country can say that can they? The best striker in the world at the moment. He really is on fire and no premier league defences can handle him, so will the great defenders of Italy or Germany or Spain be able to contain our wild child? His fitness is vital to our campaign. I'm not saying we're a one man team, it's just without him - we don't exactly scare defences in the same way. We saw Gary Lineker in 1986 win the golden boot and I'm pretty confident that 2010's top scorer will be Wayne. Of course the competition for the golden boot will be fierce. Spain's Villa and Torres are the best attacking pair in world football in my opinion and we all know about Didier Drogba and his goal scoring ability (especially against my beloved arsenal, so thanks for that Didier.) Back to Rooney though, we are extremely lucky to have such a talented striker playing for our country. Just one thing Wayne, please let your football do the talking?
IN FABIO WE TRUST.
21st November - 2007. england 2 croatia 3 in the rain. The referee blows the full time whistle and we're out. We didn't make it. Actually, wait lets see if Andorra can score against Russia. In Moscow. We could yet be saved?
"It's all over. England are out and we can confirm that Russia have beaten Andorra by one goal to nil"
Or maybe not then. We were all gutted, you could see the players were as they came off the pitch. Our (former) captain looked close to tears so did David Beckham, as he applauded the fans at Wembley.
"Welcome to Sky Sports News. We can officially confirm that Fabio Capello will be taking over the England managerial vacany next month".
and we haven't looked back since.
(Under Capello)
P22. w16. D2. L4. have faith in the man, he's the best manager we've had in years and look what's he done to us. he's turned us into potential winners.
INJURIES FREE - WE'RE NOT HALF BAD.
There's several players in the England team you can argue who are world class. We have John Terry, a fantastic player (football player I meant, that wasn't meant as a dig at Terry's private life). In my opinion, he's probably the best central defender in the world. He's taken so much stick over his perfomances lately but that's due to our press and the pressure he's now under. As an arsenal fan, I'm glad of his defensive errors for Chelsea but as an England fan, I believe he can put all this behind him. He's not the official captain anymore but the way Rio's looking fitness wise at the moment - he might not even be able to travel to the world cup. So, we need old you John.
Steven Gerrard & Frank Lampard - Again whatever your opinions of them are, you can't doubt their ability. Passionate fans of Stevie and Frank will even be able to confirm that they haven't always looked world class in England games. Lack of commitment for friendlies - I understand that friendlies don't fill them with excitement but come on - this is our England. We know what you're capable of, so please lads?
This isn't just an oppotunity for me to slag off those two because I know they're not the only player who do it. Hands up who has ever said - "if he was playing for his club, i bet he wouldn't have done that."
As a massive fan of Theo Walcott, I believe he should be going to South Africa as our first choice right winger. I mean a hat-trick in Zagbreb, pretty impressive huh?
Before you all start screaming at me; i know he hasn't been in amazing form but that's what a season where injuries stop you from playing consistently, does to you. If David Beckham goes to South Africa to help our preperations for games (like we all hope he does), then i'm confident that David can pass on some advice to Theo.
AND FINALLY...BELIEF AND PRIDE.
if we give up before we get on that plane, then what's the point? they might as well book their summer holidays tomorrow if that's going to be our mentality.
and in the words of Smithy, "can we win the world cup - YES WE CAN"
